Warning: include(wp-includes/class-wp-term-connect.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/content/14/7650814/html/wp-config.php on line 94

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening 'wp-includes/class-wp-term-connect.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php') in /home/content/14/7650814/html/wp-config.php on line 94Slovaks Continue Streak of Third Period Comebacks, Beat Slovenia 3-1 – The Hockey House

Slovaks Continue Streak of Third Period Comebacks, Beat Slovenia 3-1

Slovakia may have a tendency to start off slow in this tournament, but three straight third period comebacks means that Slovakia will stay unbeaten thanks to their 3-1 victory today.

Slovenia would be the first to strike. Over a year after Slovenia beat Slovakia at the 2014 Winter Olympics, the lower ranked squad got a goal after Aleš Krancj took a shot from the point, only to have Jan Muršak tip it past Jan Laco for the 1-0 goal. Muršak, a former prospect with the Detroit Red Wings organization, is considered to be the best player not named Anze Kopitar on the Slovenians, putting up solid point totals in the KHL with CSKA Moskva this year.

With Luka Gracnar out day-to-day, Robert Kristian headed into the game as the undisputed starting goalie for the Slovenians. Kristian has always been one of the better goalies at this tournament, but with Gracnar continuing to surprise everybody with his stellar play in Austrian league action, there was always the chance that he could take over. Kristian had a good first period, stopping the likes of Tomas Jurco and Marian Gaborik in an eight save shutout period to start off the game, keeping his team in the lead.

The Slovenians looked hungrier, trying to expose the slow Slovak defense for goals throughout the second. Of course, as it was the trend on Tuesday, scoring proved to be almost impossible. Laco’s play in the first 40 minutes surely didn’t help that, making 18 saves against the likes or Urbas and Kopitar.

Slovenia’s trips to the box would finally catch up to them in the third, meaning that more than one game today would feature at least two goals. Andrej Mezaros scored both Slovkian goals in a 2-1 win a few days ago over Belarus, so a rocket from the blueline with 13 minutes left just made sense.

Slovakia has never had a lead in the first 40 minutes of play, but their third periods have seen a ton of excitement for the many fans in attendance. In fact, Marian Gaborik, who had been so-so throughout the tournament, would score two late in the game. First, he was able to fire one past Kristian with 5:44 left in the game, giving the team the goal they needed to take the victory.

The goal was a controversial one, however, as the marker came as a result of a Aleš Mušič penalty for knocking the net off. On the ensuing power-play, which also saw a headshot against Kopitar that left him down for a minute, Gaborik would score on the slap shot to score the goal. For good measure, though, Gaborik would add an empty netter with 1.6 seconds left, finishing off Slovakia’s third straight victory to stay unbeaten at the 2015 World Championships.

About The Author

Steven took a different route towards his hockey interests. Starting out as a big Habs fan, he started to gravitate towards the more obscure levels of hockey, such as the low level tournaments in Asia, strange club matches between teams most people in North America can’t pronounce, and even some 3am contests between Bulgaria and New Zealand. Aside from his love for strange hockey events, Steven occasionally acts as a mediocre ball hockey goalie following a failed attempt at making it to the NHL as a fourth line house league grinder. Beyond hockey, Steven is an avid racing fan and loves to chat about NASCAR, F1, Indycar, you name it. Oh, and don’t get him started on music. That is, unless you want the whole history of metal and a guitar lesson.
Currently, Steven is a credentialed media member with the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL, as well as with the Oakville Blades of the OJHL. Steven has also hosted the television show "The Hockey House" on TVCogeco in Ontario, as well as a segment under the same with on LeafsTV in Toronto.
Home page: http://www.thehockeyhouse.net

Follow Us

Check out The Scout House

TheHockeyHouse.net is your one-stop site for hockey news from around the world. With news ranging from obscure tournaments and even major international events, there's no shortage of information that you'll find. The Hockey House is a part of the Fox Sports Engage Network.